The 17th Century BC

The 17th century BC is a period of one hundred years beginning in 1700 BC and ending in 1601 BC. This period falls within the Late Bronze Age of the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Mediterranean region.

Notable developments of this period include the collapse of major early kingdoms and the emergence of new powers such as the Hittites and the Kassites. Historical sources derive from cuneiform texts, Egyptian writing, and archaeology. Dates for this period are approximate, and scholars disagree by up to a century.

Egypt: the Second Intermediate Period

Egypt during this period was in what is known as the Second Intermediate Period, when centralized authority fragmented. The northern delta was controlled by the Hyksos, an Asiatic group originally from the East who established their capital at Avaris. The south, centered on Thebes, remained under Egyptian rulers. This division ended in later centuries when Thebes reunified the country.

Mesopotamia

The Old Babylonian kingdom, which Hammurabi had strengthened, experienced gradual decline during this period. Hammurabi's successors lost territory, and a rival kingdom emerged in the south (Sealand). The Kassites gradually moved into the region and eventually became rulers of Babylon.

Anatolia and the Hittites

Anatolia (modern Turkey) saw the rise of the Old Hittite Kingdom, centered at Hattusa. Rulers such as Hattusili I extended power southward into Syria. The Hittites used an Indo-European language written in cuneiform script, making it one of the earliest recorded Indo-European languages.

Other regions and trade

Crete maintained a Minoan civilization centered on maritime trade; cities in the Eastern Mediterranean were connected by commerce in copper, tin, and textiles. The Indus Valley civilization had begun to decline from its earlier urban peak, while China's historical records reference the Shang period as beginning around this time.